CHAPTER 45: THE VEIL OF MERITOCRACY (PART 2)

"You may come in."

The moment I hear a deep, gruff voice call out from within the room, I twist the knob and push the dark wooden door forward. I hear a silent creak as it opens up, letting out a whiff of stale air as I slowly step in.

Books!

Old, weathered books!

Those are the first things my eyes see when I step into the room.

Professor Alaric’s room is practically filled to the brim with all manner of books and scrolls. There exist many bookshelves in his large office, but they are barely enough to contain half of the books in his office.

The others are arranged on the ground, covering a lot of space.

This has led to the rather spacious and distinguished office looking rather cramped.

The air reeks of the smell of old books, forcing me to glance at the several windows in the room.

Most of them are obscured by piles of books, which explains the lack of proper ventilation in the Professor’s office. As for the man himself, he is seated behind his desk, with a thick, ancient-looking book right in front of him.

His brown hair is still a mess, and his baggy eyes are mildly obscured by the reading glasses he has on. I can still see the dark circles under his eyes, however. Professor Alaric’s brown coat hangs on a rack at the corner of his office, and I can see he is wearing a black shirt.

Once I step in, he glances up and immediately breaks into a smile the moment he sees me.

"Javier Aditi! What a pleasant surprise!"

What a lie.

I know he must have been expecting my presence, considering how much of an issue the current situation is—or rather, how much I have made this an issue.

For the past week, I have done everything in my power to push my case forward in the Department of Administration & Statecraft. Naturally, this means I also visited other Departments and tried using them to accelerate the process.

Professor Alaric’s Department of Sciences & Natural Philosophy is one of them.

As a Senior Professor, there is no way he doesn’t know about the matter, especially since it has somewhat become a hot topic among students. I have also seen some Junior Lecturers talk about the matter in private.

The staff of the Academy are aware of my very overt complaints regarding my results.

They know of my defiance.

However, no one has moved to help me—at least, not yet.

Even though they are well aware that I deserve better results, there is nothing they can do about it. The reason I am certain of this is that I actually met with my Professors whose courses I got so low in and spoke to them.

Apparently, they aren’t the ones in charge of the final grading, and they also recognize my hard work. Despite saying that, they didn’t condemn my low grades and also didn’t show any willingness to change them for me.

After seeing this play out multiple times, I immediately understood.

It is out of their control.

Even if some of them want to see me fail, they cannot deny that I performed excellently in class.

Plus, some were also nice to me and knew I deserved an A.

But none would help.

It’s clearly because there is someone who is calling the shots—making it impossible for them to do anything about the final results.

Professor Alaric is the only Senior Professor I have a connection to, and he told me to meet him if I experienced any issues in the Academy. It is uncertain if he foresaw such a situation occurring, but that isn’t my concern.

What matters most at the moment is whether he can help me or not.

"Good afternoon, Professor. I hope this isn’t a bad time..." I politely respond, a gentle smile on my calm face.

"Not at all!" He joyfully answers me. "Please... have your seat."

I do as he says and sit opposite him.

His desk, filled with several books, exists as the barrier between us, but I can also see another invisible layer that separates me from this man.

It is the line of authority!

Even though it seems like we are seated merely opposite each other on a flat surface, the truth is far more brutal. Right now, I am not seated... but kneeling. Professor Alaric is seated on a high throne whose pedestal is high up in the air.

I can only raise my head and try to reach it while remaining on my knees.

This is the barrier of authority—what separates powerless students like me from Senior Professors like Alaric Duskryn.

The man also recognizes this, but he pretends not to and treats me politely.

It’s all for one reason.

"So, how is your Uncle? You never gave me an update after that day."

"A-ah..." I rub my head sheepishly, trying to hide my crestfallen expression. "The thing is, he still hasn’t responded to my letter. I’m not sure why myself."

"Really? That’s strange..." Professor Alaric frowns mildly, his brows creasing up.

I observe him silently and sigh to myself.

I haven’t told a lie.

Truthfully, Uncle Damon has not responded to any of the letters I have sent to him throughout these terms. I have also not received any letters from him. I found this suspicious for a while and tried to trace the problem, but found no issues.

Since I’ve been so busy with school—and now, with trying to fight for a better grade—I haven’t had time to properly investigate the matter.

However... I have a suspicion.

’Did this man interfere with the letter somehow? He was able to link my connection to Uncle Damon, so isn’t it possible that he stopped my letters from going through? Or... maybe he has been blocking the letter my uncle sends to me...’ My eyes narrow at him, though I keep my expression amicable.

Professor Alaric’s expression shows that he is also disturbed about the situation, but I can’t help but wonder if he is simply pretending.

Unfortunately, this isn’t something I can confront him on.

Even if I wasn’t here to ask him for assistance, the gap between student and Senior Professor is simply too huge. I would be largely overstepping my bounds by insinuating that he did something so unethical.

Even if I am certain that he is the culprit, I will still have no choice but to be quiet about it in order to avoid making an enemy out of him.

I already have enough opposition in the Royal Academy.

Adding another to the list is unwise.

"So, what brings you here, Javier?" After dismissing the matter with my uncle, while offering his best wishes and hopes that he responds soon, Professor Alaric jumps to the main issue.

I sigh and explain the situation to him.

Without mincing words, I tell him of my suspicions, worries, and hopes regarding the results I got from the Department of Administration & Statecraft.

As I speak, he listens attentively, not even interrupting for even a moment.

His fingers are intertwined, and he stares seriously at me, nodding and sighing at times to indicate how much attention he is paying to my story. Once I am done narrating my experience, he takes off his glasses and lets out a deep groan.

"You really have been through a lot this past week, Javier..."

"I really need your assistance, Professor Alaric!" I tell him earnestly. "Is there anything you can do for me? Anything at all?"

Professor Alaric makes a wry smile and remains silent for a moment.

Then, he speaks.

"The man who is in charge of the Department of Administration & Statecraft... he is an Earl. His name is Klaus Gerondester... and he is a Noble Supremacist."

My eyes twitch a little.

Noble Supremacists are people who believe that the Royal Academy should only allow Nobles to attend, and also emphasize the value and superiority of the High Nobility. They place heavy emphasis on the hierarchy and do not wish for any change in the status quo.

They are largely found in the Noble Faction, but even then... such positions are only held by those on the fringe. To think the Dean of the Department of Administration & Statecraft was such a person.

Everything makes sense now!

Even though the other Departments have their fair share of issues, and most of them have ’Special Courses’ exclusive to Nobles, they still offer fair grades for hard work.

But this man... he would rather break ethics if it means suppressing a student who isn’t a Noble.

How disgraceful!

Such a dishonorable act could only be done by someone who firmly believes in his superiority.

"Earl Klaus Gerondester has a lot of authority here, you know? He is the leader of the Noble Faction in the Royal Academy and is also one of the major players in the Kingdom. Naturally, his influence in other Departments is very minimal, but in his Department... he has an absolute say."

"So there’s nothing you can do?" I ask with a raised brow, the deep frown on my face hiding my creeping despair.

Professor Alaric sighs and mildly shakes his head. "I didn’t say that. But..."

’But what?’ I ask internally.

"I’d need a lot of time to be able to do something substantial. I’m only a Senior Professor, and that isn’t even my Department, after all..." He shrugs mildly and smiles at me. "Hopefully, your uncle is able to respond before then."

The moment he finishes speaking, my expression turns uglier.

I secretly clench my fist.

’This man...’ My eyes flash with recognition, and I grit my teeth. ’He’s trying to make me connect him with Uncle Damon as payment for his help!’

Of course, he hasn’t expressly said it... but it’s very clear that it’s what he is hinting at.

He has no intention to cooperate unless I give him what he wants.

I sigh helplessly.

Even if I wanted to use my uncle as a bargaining chip, it’s not like I have been able to contact him myself. He hasn’t responded to any of my letters or sent any of his own.

Naturally, I am quite worried about this matter.

’I suspected him of the act, but if he’s trying to use Uncle Damon as a bargaining chip, that must mean he isn’t the one responsible. I have confirmed that, at the very least...’ My thoughts flow slowly, and I think of what to do on the spot.

How do I handle this?

To be honest, I don’t think Professor Alaric can do a lot to help me here.

After all, he is only a Baron, and my adversary is an Earl. Also, this Klaus Gerondester is the Dean of an entire Department, while Alaric Duskryn is only a Senior Professor. Finally, it isn’t even his Department, so his influence will be rather minuscule.

All of this is to mean that I can’t put too much stock into Professor Alaric’s promise.

It’s highly likely that he is only trying to inflate his importance so that I can give him what he wants. If I were a normal student, I would probably have fallen for his trap, but unfortunately for him, I can see right through his bravado.

Rather than using me to reach Uncle Damon before helping me, I’ll have him work very hard if he wants to receive the information I have about my uncle.

"I plan to visit a common contact of ours so I can reach him in person. In the meantime, I hope you can help me with this issue before then, sir." After I say this, I see Professor Alaric’s cheerful face darken.

It becomes his turn to contemplate the meaning behind my words.

After a while, he responds.

"I’ll see what I can do... but don’t keep your hopes up, okay?"

"Thank you, Professor!"

I respond, slowly rising to my feet while shaking his hand. The situation is a stalemate, to be honest. It depends on who wants what done the fastest.

Right now, I am racing against time.

Desperation is causing me to seek out all my options and find a way to resolve this.

I already know that once the summer term begins, I won’t have the time to pursue this matter any longer. As a result of this, I can only work harder and use up all the cards at my disposal at this very moment.

Unfortunately, I know Professor Alaric doesn’t mean well, and he won’t be of much help.

I can’t put many eggs in that basket.

In essence, it’s not worth endangering my uncle in any way.

After leaving Professor Alaric’s office, I visit a lot more Professors and try to plead for their help in the matter, but most of them even offer me less encouraging responses than the former.

Many of them wouldn’t even see me.

Weeks pass, and nothing about my situation changes.

My mates have spent their days enjoying the summer break, having fun beyond the Academic walls, but I remain behind trying to fight for my rights. However, it is all for naught.

Up until the Summer Term begins, my grades remain the same.

Thanks to all of these experiences, I have quickly come to realize the nature of this school and the terrible manner in which it operates.

Such a thing as meritocracy is only a vague illusion that serves as an outward brand of righteousness. It is but a veil used to excuse the several injustices that exist within this Academy’s four walls.

It does not truly exist—not really.

In the end, if the higher-ups say you fail, then you fail. If they say you pass, then you pass.

Now, I am certain about how powerless I truly am.

How pointless all my efforts have been.

I spent most of my days studying, but the Nobles still scored an overall higher grade than I did.

I spent all my time pursuing knowledge, but have come to realize it is meaningless.

Without power, it is all for nothing.

Now that we have resumed the Summer Term, a frustration that I cannot ignore envelops me.

Am I really to go through such an arduous process again, just to experience the same difficulties and failure? Should I simply accept that there is nothing I can do and simply move on?

It doesn’t matter the complaints that I make.

Everything gets swept under the rug.

Nothing matters.

... Or so they would like to have me believe, but I refuse to settle for that!

"I won’t forget this!" As I rise to my feet, preparing for my first class of the Summer Term, my eyes brighten up, and my firm expression is strengthened by resolve.

This experience has done nothing to shake my determination or shave off my discipline.

It simply serves as a wake-up call regarding life in this Academy.

In the Spring Term, I was a loner who tried to do everything with my own power, thinking that if I worked hard enough on my own, I would have no issues. Looking back, I can see how utterly naive that line of reasoning was.

This time, I will take a different approach.

"Even though I don’t have any friends here, I can recognize the need for allies and connections within the Academy." I sigh to myself. "Whether it is through the Academy Clubs, or simply interacting with people more, I need to have more students on my team."

Of course, quality over quantity.

The easiest way this can happen is by joining a faction. If I join the right one, then I could even be assured a better grade and sail more smoothly within the Academy.

But that isn’t what I want!

Joining a Faction will tie me down to a group, and it will also make me the enemy of the other groups. At least, now that I have not chosen a side, I am a neutral party that only mildly offends everyone else.

However, I will certainly be targeted more intensely by the rival Factions if I choose one.

I should also forget about protection from the Nobles in my Faction.

They could hardly care about someone from a Mid-Rank Knight Household like me, and would rather protect their most valuable members. Even the enemies would rather not attack the high-profile members of opposing Factions, but would seek out weak links like me to disturb.

All in all, the benefits of joining a Faction are great, but the cons are not worth it.

The most unfavorable con remains a forceful loyalty to one side.

I do not wish to be powerlessly tied to anyone!

It is why I chose to carve my path to the Academy without relying on a higher power.

None of the Nobles here is any good.

Some might be better than others, but I refuse to be subservient to their whims—not when I desire freedom from the shackles that already bind me.

In conclusion, joining a Faction is out of it.

Naturally, I will seek out clubs to join and also interact more with other people.

But even those aren’t enough.

I need something more, and after thinking about it for quite some time, I believe I have figured out my next move.

I will create my own Faction!

[A/N: This Chapter is quite longer than usual, and that’s because the excess would be too short to form a Chapter on its own. I hope the length didn’t ruin the experience or anything. Some Chapters might be like this. Would you prefer it if I divide them into two or leave them as a single Chapter? Your feedback is valuable.]